Kate Taylor, of the renowned Martha’s Vineyard via North Carolina musical clan that includes brothers James, Livingston, Alex and Hugh, is returning from a long hiatus with a new studio album, WHY WAIT!, which reunites her with many of the key players, including renowned session musicians Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar, and Leland Sklar, who backed her on her 1971 debut, SISTER KATE. She is also joined on this new album by guitar legends Albert Lee and Waddy Wachtel, plus Dan Dugmore on pedal steel and Scarlet Rivera on fiddle, among others.

Produced by music veteran and three-time Grammy award-winning producer, Peter Asher, who was at the helm for the SISTER KATE sessions, this new album WHY WAIT! marks the 50th anniversary of Kate’s foray into the music biz. Spotlight Central recently did an extended interview with Kate which you can read here.

As on SISTER KATE, Kate covers some of her favorite songwriters and songs, including a version of her brother James’ “I Will Follow,” Taj Mahal’s “He Caught the Katy,” and the album’s lead-off single, “Good Day Sunshine.” 

Kate, who always had more of an R&B sound than her folk-leaning brothers James and Livingston, contributes two songs: the upbeat title track and “I Got a Message.” She also delivers her own versions of Little Feat’s “Long Distance Love,” Tommy James’ “Crystal Blue Persuasion” and the 1963 girl group hit by The Exciters, “Tell Him.”

If you haven’t heard much from Kate since SISTER KATE, it’s because she bowed out of her rock life nearly as quickly as she started it, moving to Martha’s Vineyard where she married and raised her two daughters. Though she did some performing and recording, she mostly lived a life out of the public eye.  

The spark for this album was ignited when her agent, Keith Putney, suggested that the time for Kate and Peter to reconnect in the studio, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first collaboration. The key players who appeared on SISTER KATE are all very actively performing so the time felt right. Asher loved the idea of making a new record with Kate and she was instantly on board, writing the title track and assembling, with Peter, a group of songs that could be complimented by her soulful and lyrical voice.

Kate says, “I have watched and admired Peter’s work through the years, always hoping for the opportunity to work with him again. He is a gifted musician, and he listens. He has a legendary knack for arrangements and for bringing together the perfect musicians for every project. The team at Red House Records/Compass is a great fit for sharing this album with my original fans and the new ones to come.”  

Kate’s brother James Taylor told Rolling Stone: “For Kate to be doing this with Peter, and that both of them have this life experience that brings them back together, it’s really a moving thing. I think it’s so great that Kate will have this next iteration, you know, this next chance for people to hear her and pick up on her.”

WHY WAIT! is being released in the US on August 6th, 2021 on Red House Records/Compass Records Group and August 20 in the rest of the world. Kate Taylor will be playing a special CD release show on August 3rd on Martha’s Vineyard with Peter Asher, Leland Sklar, Albert Lee and other special guests.  

PHOTO BY HEIDI WILD

Tracklisting

1. Good Day Sunshine

2. Why Wait!

3. He

4. He Caught The Katy

5. (You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am

6. I Will Follow

7. I Got A Message (Bonus Track)

8. Tell Him

9. The Glory Of Love

10. Long Distance Love (Bonus Track)

11. Don’t Knock

12. Crystal Blue Persuasion

13. Stop The Wedding

14. Beams Of The Queen